DaMarcus Beasley’s international retirement lasted only seven months in the end.

On Tuesday, USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann confirmed that the Houston Dynamo defender would re-join the national team for the knockout stages of the CONCACAF Gold Cup as one of three changes to his squad.

Beasley, 33, will replace fellow left-back Greg Garza on the 23-man roster ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final clash against a still-to-be determined opponent, while the struggling Jozy Altidore and Alfredo Morales also drop out for Alan Gordon and Joe Corona, respectively.

Speaking to US Soccer, Klinsmann, who is permitted to make up to six roster moves ahead of the knockout stages, said: “Having DaMarcus come into the team is huge, because of his character, his giving nature, the spirit he brings, but also the high quality he brings. He brings a lot of experience into this group, and he’s hungry.

“He’s still as hungry as day one in his career. That speaks for us having him back in the group and now it gives us a couple of different options on how to put pieces together. We’re very happy to have Beas back.”

Beasley’s return to the fold comes following his surprise inclusion on last month’s initial 35-man preliminary roster, after Klinsmann reached out to the former Manchester City and Rangers man to gauge his interest about a comeback.

The veteran defender earned 121 caps and appeared at a US record four World Cups between 2001 and 2014, while also captaining Klinsmann’s side to the 2013 Gold Cup title, before announcing his retirement last December.

He will now come on board to provide some valuable experience to the roster for their title defence, but his addition has also been somewhat overshadowed by the departure of Altidore.

The powerful striker has remained an uncontested starter throughout Klinsmann’s reign but, after a recent hamstring strain, has looked horrendously slugging during the group stages.

With his fitness not where it needs to be, the Toronto FC forward has thus been sent back to his club side in a bid to help him rediscover his rhythm, with his international boss adding: “We believe that Jozy’s just not there yet. He never really got into this tournament and never really picked up the rhythm.

“He’s just simply not in the shape right now to help us. For Jozy it’s just simply going back to Toronto, picking up his rhythm, getting in shape, working on his fitness and then he will start scoring goals again.”

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.